It was the worst whipping I ever received but it left an impression on my soul as well as my seat. I will never forget the whipping. I hope I never forget the lesson either.
My twin brother and I have the same birthday. My sister’s birthday is five days before my brother’s and mine, though she is six years older. One year my uncle sent three birthday cards – one to me, one to my brother, and one to my sister. My card had three crisp five dollar bills inside. My brother’s and sister’s card had none.
My parents tried to explain that the $15 dollars was to be shared equally. But the lesson was lost on this ten-year-old boy. I threw a fit. My parents threw the book at me. They took the money away and gave me the whipping of my life. I was a selfish, thoughtless child.
I don’t agree with whippings. But I do agree that there are ways to impress the values of appreciation and generosity upon our children. We want our children to be grateful for what they have. We want our children to be generous with others.
Teaching our children to be appreciative for what they have and generous with others begins with you and me. As Good Dads it is our job to establish a tone in our home that is joyful, hopeful, and grateful. Our children are watching us. They are listening to us. Our children need to see an “Attitude of Gratitude” in us and a heart for others.
I asked my boys – Jason, 21; Aaron, 23; and Clayton, 25 – how they would raise children to be appreciative and generous. This is what they had to say.
My boys are raising me to be a Good Dad! Let’s learn from them and from your children, too. Let’s start small, let’s start at home, and let’s start today. Let’s raise children who are grateful for what they have and who are generous with those around them.
I am grateful for you! You are a Good Dad.